As we stand with our hand on the door of 2022, wisdom says that we should take the time to look back and remember what God has taught us. Greg Powell, a dear pastor friend and partner with Selah International, gives us some powerful lessons learned in 2021 that we all should ponder. What lessons have you learned?

“I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” (Psalm 77:11)

21 Lessons/Reminders from 2021
By Greg Powell

1. Many of our lives have slowed down. Slowing down is only beneficial if it is used to make forward progress in our love for Jesus Christ and our families.
2. The world sells fear like it sells any other commodity. Peace isn’t something the world could ever give you. True inner peace is only found in Jesus Christ.
3. One of the most awkward things is seeing trip pictures and running into people at parties and restaurants that you haven’t seen at church in a year.
4. Each year scrapes a little bit more away from what we pretended was important and slowly weaves together our true priorities.
5. A pandemic of loneliness and depression is a far greater threat than any virus and we must do what we can to heal hurts that people have in their lives.
6. Trials make people turn to cynicism or gratitude. The events of our lives need to push us more toward humility and thankfulness rather than anger and reclusiveness.
7. The return of Jesus Christ is closer than ever. Live in such a way that proves you believe that to your core.
8. Long walks in silence, prayer, and listening more will get us out of our own echo chambers.
9. Don’t let some celebrity’s or Christian leader’s failure give you a black eye to the faithful promises of God or take away your resolve to keep standing for what is right.
10. Don’t be in such a hurry to get out of the situation you are in that you miss the lesson you can learn in the middle of it.
11. Rather than listening to the ever-changing narrative of the media, THE news story of the year should be the constant flow of mercy and grace from our unchanging God who has never forsaken us.
12. Pay more attention to the tried-and-true Holy Scriptures than the clickbait of the culture.
13. We really need to evaluate why our weekly screen time is measured in hours and our spiritual development time is measured in minutes. Prayer may even be measured in seconds each week.
14. We not only need church content, but also community and connection with our local group of Christ followers.
15. My hope must be built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. Regardless of how it is dressed up, all other ground is still sinking sand.
16. I want to be famous in my family first and foremost rather than being a hero at work or a champion to my church.
17. No individual, organization, or political party is in control no matter how much it appears to be. God is always actively and sovereignly working out His purposes.
18. Difficulty strips away all external forms of validation. If you don’t learn to put your hope in God and base your identity and purpose in Jesus Christ, no year will ever be truly fulfilling or normal again. 2022 won’t be magically better unless you focus on Jesus more.
19. Don’t be shocked at what is called normal in society. Be a light in a dark world. Nobody has ever lived in a time when living a holy life was easy.
20. Cherish each moment with other people like it could be the last time you see them on earth.
21. God did not fail one promise nor was He kicked off His eternal throne as King of Kings in 2021, and 2022 will be no different.

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)